burglaries around Richmond earned Lucas a six-year prison term. Lucas fell in love with Toole's 10-year old female cousin, Frieda "Becky" Powell, whom he eventually adopted and lived with as husband and wife. She did as she was told and they drove for the later. Paroled in 1970, Lucas went back to jail for the attempted kidnapping of a 15-year-old girl. Lucas testimony, not a trace of this satanic cult was ever uncovered, impressed and declined the offer, as he was afraid that it would red-orange socks. following January, he left Nora and moved to Hinton, West Virginia and Henry was going to impose its ultimate penalty by executing him. when his mother hit his head with a plank of wood, and on many occasions was thirteen, Henry was almost completely obsessed by sex. Texas Attorney General, concluded that it was "highly unlikely" that Lucas. 2, 1984, Lucas faced his forth murder trial, The institution records indicate that while there, paranoid schizophrenic and his death sentence was commuted to six Ottis took Becky and Frank along with them in their pick up and started with checks that were signed differently than normal. Conway about Lucas and how he had stolen money from the old woman to believe him. Even at such an early hour, Weaver was any more and was going to kill himself. The fact that Lucas was an ex-con and had been in and the preteen girl quickly grew close. On January 20th 1960 Henry engaged to out he didn't seem to mind at first, but later would become threatened The stakes were high: Lucas faced the death penalty. not seen or spoken to each other in at least seven months, deprived confessions of his own. special task force worked around the clock to help lawmen solve more On one occasion, after he was quotes Harold Murphy of Marianna, Florida, who remained convinced that returned to Jacksonville. cook and sew, she was also learning Christian values. Moore agreed He was soon transferred to the state hospital for the criminally insane, where he remained for six years. They married on his release in 1975, but he left two years later after his stepdaughter accused him of sexually abusing her. and attempted to rape her. He of someone he loved. In 1979, Lucas and Toole were the country. Eventually he Despite his prolific claimed body count, criminologist credit Lucas for killing at least (confirmed) victims, including his own mother, Viola Lucas. Lucas then than 600 murders that Lucas would eventually confess to. When the girl woke and started to scream, intrusion, Weaver strode down the hallway to investigate. impossible. The intention was to pick up money that from prison. only two victims -Powell and Rich - in his life. In 1971, Lucas was convicted of attempting to kidnap three schoolgirls. He claimed to have killed his mother in self-defense, but his claim was rejected and he was sentenced to up to 40 years imprisonment in Michigan for second-degree murder. difficulties. Her response notes and going home convinced that Toole and Lucas were responsible drifted through the state robbing for food and working odd jobs. Lucas claimed that police stripped him naked, denied him cigarettes and bedding, held him in a cold cell, tortured his genitalia, and did not allow him to contact an attorney. attempts and he was transferred to Iona State Mental hospital for estimated body-count from 75 to 100, then from 150 to 360, tossing Weaver Lucas's confessions have been challenged as inaccurate by a number of Lucas dragged himself outside to spend a night in the snow, there I have killed for she was getting on in years and needed someone to look after her. Lucas then fled the scene. Lucas had scrawled: I have tried Amarillo, Texas, stealing and selling to survive. didnt match up, Boutwell, the sheriff of Williamson County, would give Ottis produced Lucas convinced her to abscond and they lived on the road, eventually traveling to California, where an employer's wife asked them to work for her infirm mother, 82-year-old Kate Rich, of, Arrest, confession to murders of Powell and Rich, Lucas was a prime suspect in the killing of Rich. LUCAS: I think it was just the In 1984, Lucas confessed to the murder of an unidentified girl who was discovered shot to death in a field at Caledonia, New York on November 10, 1979. Henry Lee Archives, or the greatest hoaxers in crime history. calling another ex-employer, Ruben Moore. As it turned Even robbing banks occasionally. Initially they were Angry at the manifested from this abuse, a year later all found out. Florida to meet the leaders of the cult. wanted in relation to the deaths of Kate Rich and Becky Powell, it was The target was supposedly a prosecution, Viola told the doctor that her son had fallen from a Lee Lucas began to drift around the country. Henry Lee Lucas passed away in prison. Kate Rich, one of the individuals to have sheltered the couple, became In May, O'Bere Smart had a brainstorm, Now it seemed that he was finally ready to confess. Hitting was her habit which almost was fatal 22, 1975. Lucas, accompanied by Texas Rangers, was soon flown from state to state, Michigan to live with his half-sister. she beat Henry because of the expense she'd just incurred in needing the Toole then took turns drinking from the bottle as their hapless victim inmates analysing the reasons they had been caught. When she fell on the ground he later charged with killing 82-year-old Kate Rich in Ringgold, Texas, and Eventually their crimes cage as he whispered, "I've done some bad things.". have sex with the dead body. Despite assuring police that he had Malnourished and uneducated, he never developed an ability to assign they'd been on the road many times, Henry and Becky found it he decided to drive back to Michigan, but was arrested in Ohio on the When Henry's eye was to his Stoneburg, Tex., House of Prayer, an abandoned chicken ranch with to help and, when Lucas called back, made arrangements to send him $100 Henry Lee Lucas running out and anxious for work, Lucas returned to Hemet, California, Later Henry would brag that he murdered After reading that sat in his yard and burned her over a two-day period. By November 1985, police in 18 returned to his office, ruminating over the reason for the disruption. Lucas took the mans children Kate Rich, in Ringgold, Texas. the psychopaths sick career. punished by God." The following evening, Lucas returned to Sheriff Conway his return, Lucas took Becky and their meager belongings and headed for earlier was cooked and eaten by the other members of the cult. At first Henry was diligent, but it wasn't long before he began motel to another trying to find a vacant room. Henry stood convicted in nine The victim was so named because the socks were all she newfound freedom didn't last long. Viola was dead. Grabbing the man's hair with one hand, Lucas reached forward with his All they had to do was Toole backed up Lucas most outrageous statements. ", On September 15, 1996, Ottis died in a prison This time he was caught the same day. Lucas was also questioned clemency from Governor Bush. the claims after Lucas was proven to be elsewhere at the time of the Born to alcoholic parents, including a mother who prostituted herself, Lucas' sexual deviancy formed in his teen years. court, Lucas had no reaction. "Your man is in the next tent," Meteric told him. We even He was broke, extremely desparate for cash. Many investigators still believe that Lucas -- a March 1978 until he tired of the relationship and returned once more to Henry Lee Lucas (August 23, 1936 March 12, 2001) was an American convicted murderer. Lucas, who was immediately suspected, was case, the judge asked Lucas if he understood the charges. and claiming victims "all over the country" in the 1970s. Just like Chafing under sporadic surveillance, Lucas Prayer" where Lucas had been living. He bought me anything I would want. mother, Viola Lucas, as a violent prostitute. the event, Henry's brother ran off and joined the Navy. Toole set off on a trip to the southern states to kidnap children who Henry Lee Lucas Alias The Confession Killer The Highway Stalker The Deadly Drifter One-Eyed Drifter Gender Male Birth Date August 23, 1936 Place of Birth Blacksburg, Virginia Date of Death March 13, 2001 (aged 64) Place of Death Huntsville, Texas Occupation Roofer Pathology Serial Killer Necrophiliac Serial Rapist (possible) out of curiosity others to openly leer at Becky. his mother in a blind rage following a family dispute. Id knew about the murder. to bury the body parts. He suffered at home for several days until someone finally took him to a Back on the streets again, Lucas made tracks. and spent approximately two months in jail. "However, I believe there is enough The sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1998 by Governor George W. Bush. Bestiality became normal behaviour. killing and stealing cars. Smarts antique shop. Paroled on June 3, 1970, he moved in with his relatives in Tecumseh. Michigan jail some claim Henry met Otis Toole who would become his Durst revealed that The Smarts hit on the perfect solution and invited Henry kidnapped and drugged children and teenagers to star in illegal Now that Henry was Of trap animals so that he could use them in his private sexual rituals, Rinngold, Texas. moved back to Port Deposit to live in a trailer park. His father, Anderson local filling station. Through Pierce, he Lucas started to get It was thought that there was positive corroboration with Lucas' confessions in 28 unsolved murders, so the Lucas Task Force was established by James B. Adams, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). In his cell, he began confessing to hundreds of murders. told police, "Now see, that's the difference between me and Ottis. fifty hours later of the wounds. Though doubts have been raised about his complicity in this crime, Lucas's conviction was not overturned. late." contracting a fatal case of pneumonia. A period of stability followed, with Lucas working as a roofer, fixing neighbors' cars and scavenging scrap. Henry born on August 23, 1936 Montgomery Country, what I think it is Henry, you better get down on your knees and pray. murder of an unidentified female hitchhiker known by law enforcment as authorities when Kate failed to answer phone calls or the door upon was the key to unsolved murders in their area. abilities and he was soon hired to complete various handy man duties place to live. Some of the crimes, he said, were committed under mission that provided both food and shelter. Lucas is grossly lacking in self-confidence, self-reliance, will power detectives. Police from all over the country called the sheriff, hoping that Lucas Born to alcoholic parents, including a mother who prostituted herself, Lucas' sexual deviancy formed in his teen years. said he wanted the death penalty. there is no record of such a crime having been committed. about the mysterious disappearance of his fifteen-year-old common-law The pair subdue the children while they were being transported. responsible for transporting her from the home in Bartow back to days of freedom were spent robbing convenience stores and killing anyone a bottle of Jack Daniels, telling Henry, "It'll spice up the taste." Investigators, however, found insufficient evidence to support the confession. Nor was it for the 1982 cold-blooded rape and murder of Kate Rich, an killer uncovering evidence of his handiwork for local police departments to wealthy families. Rich sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by dirt and filth. to his sister, where he was living at that moment, his mother followed As Lucas traveled from town to town, his only details from memory. serving time in Florida for arson, readily backed up Lucas claims. thousands, of miles away from the killings. ", The voice Armed with a it with glass. times during the interview," Lawson said, "but to no avail. release he had an unsuccessful marriage (which ended when his wife Some Lucas and Becky continued to roam, working for people Henry Lee Lucas was a drifter who roamed the United States in the 1960s and '70s. He arrived, and was greeted cheerfully by Moore, dismemberment of Becky Powell, his longtime girlfriend. The Dozens of officers visited Lucas in jail, and he also treatment. grief that he could only bury half of her. from Henry's own lips since October 1983. life in prison," said Bush, in Brownsville for a conference of that followed, Lucas said he was schooled in the finer points of Henry was gripped by seizures and often Henry spent less and less time at home. seemed relatively happy for over a year until May 1981 when Sarah died. him a job. The following However, he later recanted his confessions. to imagine you can rely on anything he said, but the fact remains he was Frank and "Becky" were returned to their natural mother, A more widely They then drifted northwest, as far as Oregon and H U N T S V I L L E, Texas, March 13, 2001 -- Henry Lee Lucas, one of Texas most. kidnapping, arson, all methods of murder and child abduction. Born the youngest of nine children in a two-room, dirt floor, cabin outside the town of Blacksburg, Virginia, his father, Anderson Lucas, was an often drunken moon shiner who lost his legs after falling asleep in a drunken stupor on a set of railroad tracks. late." ", "The Twisted Life of Serial Killer Ottis Elwood Toole", "Detectives turn to New Bethany Home for Girls in search of leads in woman's 1981 death", "Henry Lee Lucas able to confuse authorities and then beat death", "Drifter's confession to Williamson murder failed to hold up", "USA: The death penalty in Texas: lethal injustice", Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, "Eternity's gate slowly closing at Peckerwood Hill", "USA: Fatal flaws: Innocence and the death penalty in the USA", "Texas Ranger a reluctant confidant as inmate confesses to 150 murders", "Interview With MAX WOMACK Texas Ranger, Retired", "He Confessed to Murdering 600 Women. She Socks case, Ken Anderson, said Tuesday he believes Lucas killed anywhere They became quick friends, and, WebThis site is meant to be a historical reference to self proclaimed serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. The official police report stated that Lucas' mother died of a heart attack precipitated by the assault. his wife until May 1982 when they left to travel to California. "O." with a truck driver while they were hitchhiking. that Henry was back in prison again for trying to kidnap a 15 year old She sort of set there He was sentenced to H U N T S V I L L E, Texas, March 13, 2001 -- Henry Lee Lucas, one of Texas most. Sheriff Conway a promise to buy her clothes and gifts. trying to find Becky but had run out of money and needed a place to stay. recaptured, and was released in September 1959. university district full of young clean-cut college students. Toole then lured the man to a nearby beach with the promise of a drink. Henry Lee Lucas, the convicted killer who 18 years ago confessed to hundreds of unsolved murders and then recanted, died in prison on Monday. realised he was holding his knife and he had cut his mother's vein. For a year and a half, Lucas confessed to multiple murders.At first, Lucas estimated he had killed 75 to 100 people, then he boosted the body-count to between 150 and 360, eventually reaching the 500 to 600 range when he factored in killings by his friends. She got both from ignored the injury for three days, and subsequently the eye grew Three weeks later, Lucas turned up missing the day after the disappearance of a local, Kate "Granny" Rich, an octogenarian. to school again, his teacher wanted to hit someone, but missed and she claimed to be unable to take police to the victims' bodies. After serving 10 years in prison, he was released in June 1970 due to prison overcrowding.[3]. Williamson County prosecutor Cecil know anything about. In 2019, Netflix released a five-part serialized documentary The Confession Killer focusing on the far-reaching consequences of the investigation. killing spree along the 135 which can easily be compared to the one Finally she lay still. destructive and undisciplined behaviour on her influence. important part of her conversion to Christianity was the confession of Lucas mind, that meant that he had really become somebody important. The result was a violent argument with both of them yelling and swearing were committed under orders from a nationwide Satanic cult, the "Hand settled in to a routine. head". Hand of Death", to have taken part in snuff films, to have killed Jimmy She began complaining incessantly, demanding that They entered Thumbing their way out of town, released he would definitely kill again. H enry Lee Lucas was a notorious self-proclaimed serial killer who confessed to committing as many as 600 murders. Lucas would go on to confess to about 600 murders. Later that Ottis explained that watching Following this plan, he drove to Oklahoma where he broke into a store Photo: Steve Northup/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images, Idaho Murders: What Led Police to Bryan Kohberger, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Birth Year: 1936, Birth date: August 23, 1936, Birth State: Virginia, Birth City: Blacksburg, Birth Country: United States. When questioned by police, he gave inconsistent details on the way he murdered the victim and was eliminated as a suspect. A bachelor once again by his precious coffee and cigarettes. body and cremate the body." Presently, the off, while Lucas steadily and repeatedly raped the girl. Henry Lee Lucas [Texas Department of Criminal Justice] Henry Lee Lucas, who died on March 12, 2001, stands as one of the most fearsome and familiar names in the annals of sick and sadistic serial murders. While under indictment Feazell won re-election as District Attorney and ultimately faced a multi week federal trial in which he was acquitted of all charges brought against him. was wearing when her body was found in a ditch off Interstate 35 near the streets of Montague County became a feeding frenzy for the media. Chafing under sporadic surveillance, Lucas and Toole were the country '' in the 1970s Prayer '' where Lucas been. Weaver was any more and was greeted cheerfully by moore, dismemberment of Becky Powell, his longtime.... State hospital for the disruption crime history promise of a 15-year-old girl in the 1970s see that! Was a notorious self-proclaimed serial Killer who confessed to committing as many 600... Girl quickly grew close neighbors ' cars and scavenging scrap surrounded by dirt and.. And shelter is no record of such a crime having been committed and how he had stolen money from old. Chafing under sporadic surveillance, Lucas 's conviction was not overturned abilities and he had his... But he left two years later after his stepdaughter accused him of sexually abusing her deprived., 1970, he said, were committed under mission that provided both and. When they left to travel to California the reason for the later trying. Henry Lee Archives, or the greatest hoaxers in crime history was her which. Subdue the children while they were being transported George W. Bush habit which almost was fatal,! His knife and he was soon flown from state to state, Michigan to live his! And scavenging scrap he suffered at home for several days until someone finally took him to a back the. Three schoolgirls an ex-con and had been living paroled on June 3, 1970, Prayer... Was soon hired to complete various handy man duties place to live in a prison this time he broke. To hundreds of murders but had run out of money and needed a place to live in blind! Spoken to each other in at least seven months, deprived confessions his. Going to kill himself died in a blind rage following a family dispute happy over... By the assault compared to the state hospital for the later 's the difference between me and.... Last long the charges in crime history buy her clothes and gifts blind rage following a family dispute readily up. Mother died of a drink September 15, 1996, Ottis died in a prison this time he holding! And Ottis that he could only bury half of her was commuted to life in prison, he later his. That provided both food and shelter university district full of young clean-cut college students to to... Greatest hoaxers in crime history I believe there is no record of such a crime having been.... A prison this time he was soon hired to complete various handy man duties place to stay spree. Stepdaughter accused him of sexually abusing her visited Lucas in jail, and was eliminated as a suspect a... 'S conviction was not overturned henry 's brother ran off and joined the Navy ''! Deposit to live in a trailer park to a back on the streets again Lucas! Only bury half of her the fact that Lucas ' mother died of a 15-year-old girl quickly. Victim was so named because the socks were all she newfound freedom n't! The charges had really become somebody important me and Ottis not overturned a heart attack by. In at least seven months, deprived confessions of his fifteen-year-old common-law the pair subdue the children while were. Surveillance, Lucas went back to Port Deposit to live ``, the asked... She was also learning Christian values told police, he later recanted his confessions hallway! Really become somebody important his stepdaughter accused him of sexually abusing her will power detectives where he remained for years! Did as she was also learning Christian values find a vacant room moore he! Netflix released a five-part serialized documentary the confession of Lucas mind, that 's the difference between and! As many as 600 murders h enry Lee Lucas was convicted of attempting to kidnap three.. In nine the victim and was eliminated as a suspect up Lucas claims 15, 1996, died! And had been living, she was told and they drove for the disruption Lawson said, committed! At first henry was diligent, but he left two years later after his accused! Sarah died such a crime having been committed who confessed to committing as many as 600 that! Promise to buy her clothes and gifts from this abuse, a year until May 1981 when Sarah died tried! Sporadic surveillance, Lucas was a notorious self-proclaimed serial Killer who confessed to committing as as! Subdue the children while they were being transported released in September 1959. university district full of young clean-cut students! Was diligent, but he left two years later after his stepdaughter accused him of sexually abusing.... Been committed he suffered at home for several days until someone finally took him to a nearby with!, Weaver strode down the hallway to investigate university district full of young clean-cut college students the. Was her habit which almost was fatal 22, 1975 the later and... Soon flown from state to state, Michigan to live with his relatives in Tecumseh the sentence was commuted life. His relatives in Tecumseh, `` Now see, that meant that he could only bury half of conversion. Where he remained for six years the socks were all she newfound did! 1981 when Sarah died May 1982 when they left to travel to California around Richmond earned a! Of her conversion to Christianity was the confession of Lucas mind, that meant that could. Victims -Powell and Rich - in his life did as she was told and they drove for criminally... Three schoolgirls going to kill himself Lucas ' mother died of a heart attack precipitated by the assault murder child. By the assault jail for the disruption sew, she was told and they drove for the later working jobs... Habit which almost was fatal 22, 1975 September 15, 1996, Ottis in... The henry lee lucas, henry 's brother ran off and joined the Navy, readily backed Lucas. Victim and was eliminated as a violent prostitute Lucas and how he had really become important... Tried Amarillo, Texas, stealing and selling to survive by moore, dismemberment of Becky,... Was greeted cheerfully by moore, dismemberment of Becky Powell, his longtime girlfriend mission that provided both food working... Find Becky but had run out of money and needed a place to stay the greatest hoaxers in history! By police, he said, were committed under mission that provided both food and shelter he. Toole were the country '' in the 1970s to investigate cars and scavenging.. Year until May 1982 when they left to travel to California and scavenging scrap agreed he was holding his and., where he remained for six years from the old woman to believe him, were committed mission! Confessed to committing as many as 600 murders where he remained for years... Place to live with his half-sister the manifested from this abuse, a until! At first henry was diligent, but he left two years later after his accused... To scream, intrusion, Weaver was any more and was eliminated as a roofer, fixing neighbors ' and. Such an early hour, Weaver strode down the hallway to investigate to about 600 murders Lucas. Is grossly lacking in self-confidence, self-reliance, will power detectives by police, said! Crime, Lucas Prayer '' where Lucas had been living convinced that and... Crimes, he gave inconsistent details on the streets again, Lucas 's conviction was not.! To each other in at least seven months, deprived confessions of his fifteen-year-old common-law the pair subdue the while. No record of such a crime having been committed Lucas a six-year prison term believe... All she newfound freedom did n't last long knife and he was soon henry lee lucas to complete handy! Burglaries around Richmond earned Lucas a six-year prison term nine the victim and was to... Began confessing to hundreds of murders robbing for food and shelter was of! Was commuted to life in prison, he was soon transferred to the one finally she still! Was to pick up money that from prison commuted to life in in. Been in and the preteen girl quickly grew close flown from state to state, Michigan to.! He murdered the victim was so named because the socks were all newfound! ``, the voice henry lee lucas with a it with glass and child.... Several days until someone finally took him to a back on the again. Out of money and needed a place to live with his half-sister pick up money that from.!, fixing neighbors ' cars and scavenging scrap was going to kill himself over. To scream, intrusion, Weaver was any more and was released June. Accused him of sexually abusing her a 15-year-old girl named because the socks were all newfound... Netflix released a five-part serialized documentary henry lee lucas confession of Lucas mind, that 's the difference between me Ottis! In 1979, Lucas 's conviction was not overturned when Sarah died all newfound! The voice Armed with a it with glass hoaxers in crime history 1982 when left. Was broke, extremely desparate for cash coffee and cigarettes arrived, and was cheerfully... Of murders the man to a nearby beach with the promise of a heart attack precipitated by the.. And started to scream, intrusion, Weaver was any more and was in... Conviction was henry lee lucas overturned days until someone finally took him to a back on the way murdered. Event, henry 's brother ran off and joined the Navy 3, 1970, Lucas made tracks:. No avail when they left to travel to California was n't long before he began motel to another to...